Las Vegas Turns Cowboy

In typical Wade Sundell fashion, the saddle bronc title was taken with showmanship and gusto with an event-high score of 90 points. (Photo by Phillip Kitts, Avid Visual Imagery Rodeo Photography)

By Phillip Kitts

As the aching heads of rodeo fans, the stiff joints and muscles of rodeo competitors and the weary bodies of contract personnel have made their way home from a long two-week run in the bright lights of Las Vegas, new pages of the history books have been written.

Most rodeo fans know all about the big show that closes out a season of rodeo at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Only the die-hard rodeo fans know how much more goes on starting only days prior to the NFR and all the way through the final round.
You often hear the term Las Vegas turns “Cowboy” in December, as for over 14 days numerous rodeo-based series have their finales. This list includes World Series of Team Roping, Bull Fighters Only (BFO), PRCA permit holders have their top competitors compete for top standings, American Bullfighting wraps up their season and the Youth National Finals bring all their top competitors in each event to crown World Champions.

Along with these major events, Boyd Gaming afforded the opportunity for the competitors who placed sixteenth through twentieth to compete in a chute-out style rodeo. Boyd gaming also invites some of the top names in rodeo that no longer chase the coveted WNFR appearance or due to injury or other interference did not earn enough money to compete a the WNFR.

To read more pick up a copy of the February 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

An excited Sundell interacting with the crowd after a job well done. (Photo by Phillip Kitts, Avid Visual Imagery Rodeo Photography)